On the Klochterhof at Friesdorf near Bonn, a
nobleman
once lived, who was well known in the whole Rhine valley as a great
tippler.

Once Lord Erich had indulged with great relish in
the
noble sport of the chase in the forest that surrounded the neighbouring
town
of Godesberg. The day was hot, the chase unsuccessful and rather
tedious
for him, as he was more than usually tormented by a mighty thirst.

The sun had set and his last golden rays were
glittering
on the waves of the Rhine, when Lord Erich shouldered his blunderbuss
and
turned homeward with a small bag, consisting of one fat hare.

In those days one small inn (now they can be
counted
by the dozen) stood on the margin of the large forest of Godesberg.
There
Lord Erich entered to rest his tired limbs, but principally to quench
his
great thirst. He gave the hare to the landlady, that she might prepare
it
with skilful hands, and ordered a flowing bumper of golden Rhine wine
which
he emptied at one deep draught. I am sure that the juice of the grapes
must
have been far better then, than it is now-a-days.

The landlady soon prepared the game and placed the
tempting
meal before the hungry hunter, who enjoyed it thoroughly. But he
appreciated
still more the delicious, cool wine offered to him.

One glass after the other was swallowed by the
thirsty
Lord of Klochterhof, and the landlord marked just as many charcoal
strokes
on the door-post.

When night approached, the noble hunter began to
think
of returning home. Sitting there had been agreeable and comfortable,
but
he found it very difficult to get tip and walk.

The landlord, perceiving his guest's preparations
to
take his leave, came forward and said in rather a rough tone, being an
outspoken
fellow: "Twelve bottles, my lord, don't forget to pay before you go."

Lord Erich who was standing very unsteadily on his
legs,
muttered in a thick voice but very good-humouredly, "Dear landlord, I
could
pay you if I had loaded my blunderbuss with money, but I did not."

With this cheerful response he turned to go. The
landlord
was exceedingly aggravated at this careless answer. His face grew quite
purple
with anger. "If you have no money, my lord, I shall keep your trousers
till
you are able to pay for the twelve bottles." So saying he took hold of
the
tipsy man. Whether he liked it or not, Lord Erich was obliged to leave
his
inexpressibles with the inexorable landlord, and to walk home without
them.

The firs in the wood shook their heads in
disapproval
at such a strange attire.

It is not known if Lord Erich ever came back to
the inn
to redeem his nether garments.